Vivian Patterson

Link to service..... https://www.youtube.com/live/RuKM5_y8jD4

Dr. Vivian Dian Orlando Patterson was born on October 3, 1949 in Corentyne Berbice, Guyana.  He was the fourth of thirteen children; ten boys and three girls, born to Leartis Vivian Rudolph Patterson and Emma Constance Lucretia Patterson. During his youthful days, he was surrounded by the influence of educators; including his father, aunts, his uncle Wilfred and older siblings.  That strong educational influence saw him embark on a teaching career at the tender age of 18.  As an educator, he found great interest in community service and civic matters, which led to him joining the YSM-Young Socialist Movement (the youth arm of one of Guyana’s political parties), and later became the chairperson. Being number four of 13 siblings, Vivian was equally devoted to his family, and was nicknamed “Fat boy” by his older siblings and addressed as “brother Dian” by his younger siblings. 

 Despite being engrossed in many academically related endeavors, and his active family life, Vivian was soon smitten by a young lady named; Pamela Agatha Henry, who soon became the love of his life. Vivian and Pamela joined hands in marriage at the tender age of 21 and 19 years old. This marriage produced four children, namely; Melisha, the late Julius (who sadly died in infancy), Eusi and Mykeisha. Along the way Vivian formed and maintained lifelong friendships. Most noticeable among those are Charles London, Loris Scott, Peter Fraser and Leslie Glen.

Vivian, being a visionary and stark academic, would later migrate to Toronto Canada on a government scholarship at the age of 32. He was later joined by his wife; Pamela Patterson, and family.  With his family all together, Vivian wasted no time in acquiring his Bachelor's degree from the University of Guyana and later his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Philosophy and Economics, from the University of Toronto, Canada. In December of 1987, Vivian and his family migrated to the United States and settled in Long Island, New York, the place where he would call home and eventually spend the rest of his life.  It should be no surprise that he continued in the field of education as a teacher at Hillcrest High School in Queens, New York and a professor at Adelphi University in Long Island, New York. Having a zeal for God, Vivian and his wife Pamela, would later make the decision to become Seventh-day Adventists, both giving their lives to Christ in a simultaneous baptism ceremony, conducted by Pastor Melwyn Bob Mounter; thereby becoming long time members of the Ebenezer Seventh day Adventist church in Freeport, Long Island. Vivian’s spirit was buoyed by the love and warmth of their Ebenezer church family.

On October 28, 2024, God called Vivian home as his wife, Pamela held his hands at his bedside, and was interceding with the lord, as he transitioned peacefully. Vivian will be greatly missed by family, friends and all those who knew him.  He is survived by his wife Pamela, children; Melisha, Eusi and Mykeisha; daughter- in- law, Edris Patterson; sons in law; Albert Collins and Mark Smith; his grandchildren, Imani, Eusi Jr., Ezrael, Eulani, and Suray; his 10 remaining siblings, Baldwin Patterson (BP), Hon. justice Winston Patterson (Churchill), Lorenzo Patterson (Carlo), Lucretia Mayers (sister), Basil Patterson (Godwin), Michael Patterson (Mike), the late Pastor Stephen Patterson, the late Joseph Patterson (Patrick), Vivvet Branford (Patsy), John Patterson (Bonny), Fiona Gordon (Charmaine), Floyd Patterson and Roxanne James; additionally, all spouses, nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous relatives and friends.

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